For more information, please follow this link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3549020/spawner-survey-technicians-scientific-technician-2-two-openings-non-permane

Salary– $2,864.00 – $3,701.00 Monthly

Field work, stock assessment surveys, and creeling.   Tasks include, but are not limited to: 

• Provides help as needed on surveys of juvenile salmonids throughout Region 4.
• Monitoring and sampling of sport fisheries.
• Salmonid spawning ground surveys occur primarily in remote areas of Whatcom, Skagit, and Snohomish Counties.
• Walk or boat (via pontoon and jet sled) sections of the Nooksack, Samish, Skagit basins and independent tributaries, which requires navigating difficult terrain regardless of weather conditions.
• Accurately identify freshwater stage adult and juvenile salmonids and other species.
• Biological sampling of fish carcasses regardless of condition.
• Use field collection devices (sport gear, nets, traps, electro shocker) to collect juvenile or adult salmon.
• Clearly and concisely record data collected during surveys using paper and electronic methods.
• Conduct creel surveys/fisheries monitoring – interview anglers and sample catch at boat ramps and throughout open fishery areas. May require early and late shifts.
• Bull Trout surveys, throughout Region 4.

Data Compilation and analysis.  Tasks include, but are not limited to: 

• Review, record, and tabulate data.
• Data editing and data entry for field surveys and biological data collection.
• Accurately collect and record basic resource and fishery information into prescribed electronic or written form.
• Prepares and organizes DNA and otolith collection vials, coded wire head tags, bags and labels and other sampling supplies.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Work Setting, including hazards:    
  1. Work occurs all seasons in all weather and in all conditions from extreme heat to extreme cold and snow.  Work is often performed in remote locations without cellular service independently and in and around moving water – may be performed independently.
  2. Work is almost always in, on, or around water, moving or not.  Hazards include but are not limited to exposure to heat, cold, slippery-uneven surfaces, sharp surfaces, hard surfaces.  Lacerations from sampling instrumentation or environmental hazards, drowning, sprains, strains, fractures, and contusions, and exposure to potentially dangerous wild or domestic animals and encounters with people who may be overly friendly or frustrated.
  3. Traffic accidents, boating accidents, ATV accidents and any and all potential hazards associated with mechanized or human powered travel during all seasons and environmental conditions.
  4. Independently tow, launch, and operate a jet sled in all usually surveyed areas of the Skagit River – this may require lifting and/or pulling the vessel around trees or other obstructions.
  5. Load, unload, portage and navigate a pontoon raft through all normally raft-surveyed sections throughout District 14 – occasionally carrying up to 75 lbs. of equipment short distances to access sites and over log jams (e.g., portaging and carrying equipment to site) and walk many miles (approximately 12 miles) in large streams, wading thought streams that are thigh to waist deep and walking through rugged terrain.
• Schedule:   
  1. Usually Monday – Friday core hours but split shifts, overtime, overnight, weekend, and holiday work will be needed at times.
• Travel Requirements:   
  1. Mostly in State for trainings and conferences but possibly some out of State may be required, expect no more than 3 days in travel status.
• Tools and Equipment:   
  1. Pontoon boats, rafts, jet sleds, vehicles, ATV’s, chainsaws, knives, sensitive electronic sampling equipment, computers, laptops, waders, cold weather exposure gear, hot weather clothing, forceps, writing utensils and written and electronic data logs or books.
• Customer Interactions:                    
  1. Volunteer workers, WDFW and Tribal biologists and technicians, private and public landowners, public recreationists, boaters, anglers, hikers.
  2. WDFW law enforcement officers and public and private natural resources stakeholders.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

          OR 

Please Note: College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied field will substitute, year for year, for experience, provided the course work includes at least six semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.

Certifications/Licenses: 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Previous experience as a salmonid spawning ground surveyor.
• Background in elementary biology and in-the-field salmonid identification.
• Ability to clearly and concisely fill out field data forms using electronic and paper methods.
• Understand basic field sampling techniques and procedures, sample rates and biases.
• Adaptability/Flexibility – adapts easily to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions, have good communication skills, and able to interact with the public and co-workers.
• Resourcefulness in Problem Solving – uses intelligence, common sense, hard work and tenacity to solve particularly difficult or complicated challenge
• Self-knowledge, Development and Continued Learning – demonstrates an ongoing commitment to learning and self-improvement.
• Willing to take instruction and correction to task performance.